MiniMort

Wow thanks for all the info, and shame about the t-shirts! The Valiant completely escaped my mind! 

First collection of the day ticked off 😁😁😁 


And I am very pleased with our new fleet member! I am surprisingly comfortable with it already and it handles very nicely for what I had been warned was "an car." That, however, is exactly what we need with the various misdemeanours occurring with the rest of the fleet. We had the previous generation of Civic in Type S, 2ltr petrol flavour so I'm looking forward to getting to know a spaceship 2.2 diesel 😊
Massive thank you to @Tickman for being an amazing seller once again and hanging on to this lovely machine until we could get our ducks in a row to bring it on board. Also very grateful for the half way delivery! Made life much easier.
So, now I have wheels, it's onwards to the next collection 😊

Yup, as above - and like most Australian full-size sedans which received near-annual styling updates in line with their similar US siblings, it was a fairly short-lived model; the VC Valiant was in production for just over a year, from spring 1966 to the autumn of 1967.
Yours looks to be a fairly boggo 225 model with a straight-six engine - the V8 and higher-trim Regal models came with extra chrome doo-dahs. But of course, the wheels indicate it's had some upgrades, which may well have included  an engine swap...
Here's what the front end looks like:

A neighbour in Sydney drove a later VG Valiant sedan, which I was very fond of.
Fun fact: a former MissDC's grandmother worked in Chrysler's Tonsley Park plant in Adelaide back in the sixties. While we were visiting them, back in the early 2000s, we found a load of vintage promotional T-shirts from Chrysler and various tyre companies, still unworn... they were a bit too small for my ample frame, sadly!

Airlie Beach and it's surrounding area has been best so far for finding old rubbish. We met up with a friend there so were able to go to the more off the beaten track towns.

This looks like a Dollywobbler-spec Falcon, only it isn't. It's actually the classier Fairmont. Little more than a trim level, but I like the snazzier grille.

Something a little lower end is this Ford Laser Sedan. I think it works better in booted form, compared to the hatch we saw earlier.

Getting shiter. A 2009 Proton Jumbuck. Interestingly it's the third I've seen during my stay in Australia. I guess it was cheaper than most utes on the market.

But not as popular as one of these, a 1974 Toyota Hilux that seemingly spent its days driving up and down the high street of Proserpine because I saw it loads of times.

I feel like this has been the most Autoshite spot of the holiday so far, though. It's a 1983 Daihatsu Scat (or Wildcat, or T.A.F.T if you will). I like how the bull-bar is taller than the bonnet.

Finally, something that has stumped me for a few days. What is this 60s wagon? Initially I thought it was a Falcon but they all had round tail lights (to my knowledge). Doesn't seem to be a Holden either. Any help would be appreciated! 

Right then, shirt tails of Sydney before getting on the cruise ship.

I'm not sure what it is but I'm still finding it strange seeing any European car here, even though they sell Skodas, Renaults, Citroens etc just like they do anywhere else. This 1970 DSpecial took me by surprise, though.

And here's a really crappy late night phone photo of another thing that excited me - a 1978 Holden Kingswood Wagon. In case you're not clued up on your Aussie cars, the Kingswood was more or less the Commodore's more executive brother. This HZ generation would have had 'radial tuned suspension', of which Modern Motor magazine wrote 'great handler spoiled by the car'.

Please excuse the 'picture pictures' here, I've been taking photos on my camera and uploading them to my laptop... only I no longer have Wifi on their, just my phone. Anyway, with that in mind here's something that's very Autoshite - a 1998 Daewoo Lanos, that was parked over the road from the cruise terminal.

It was joined with this lovely 2003 Pulsar, which is actually very common here. These ones were Japanese-made, but the liftback version (Almera to us) came all the way from the UK. 

This was on the same street as the hotel, a final generation Ford Laser. It's more or less a Mazda 323 but they have some terrible rear lights (not seen here). 

On the way to the bus which took us to Bondi I found a BMW 2002 languishing on a driveway. It's a TILux, whatever that means. Some life goes on, though, because the white Holden had vanished when I returned later that day.

It was nice to know we haven't quite claimed all of these in the UK.

The coastal areas had plenty of tat in them. Take this 1987 Mercedes G-Class, which I have to say looks far classier than one of today.

But the best find of that trip had to be the 1993 Daihatsu Charade Blanc. Interesting that Aussie special editions didn't all come with sunroofs like they did here. I feel like having one would be more of a negative when it's always so hot out.

So I thought I might as well do a thread for the holiday I'm on and what I've done seen!
I'm currently on a cruise in Oz which started in Sydney and ends up in Hong Kong. It's my first time in this part of the world, and I'm pleased to see so much shite about.
As said, the first stop was Sydney where we had a couple of days to explore things like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. 

My first photographed find (I saw a few things on the taxi to the hotel when it was still dark) was this 1988 Corolla 4WD Wagon. It's seemingly a Tercel with a new front end.

It was close to a really nice poverty spec 1994 BMW 316i. But neither of these are really Australian are they?

Ah that's better, a Holden Commodore Ute! 90s Commodores and Falcons in all shapes and sizes are still pretty common it seems.

And here's an 80s one, taken through a vent looking into an underground car park at night (ideal conditions!). I'm digging the vinyl roof on a car made between 1981 and 1984. Surely that was a bit of a dated detail by then?
And just to prove I didn't just look at cars the whole time, here's Sydney at night. Strewth etc.

Nice pics. Four years since I went down that way. Which is frankly terrifying.

Whoa, Black Betty, Bam-ba-lam!

This was on the same street as the hotel, a final generation Ford Laser. It's more or less a Mazda 323 but they have some terrible rear lights (not seen here). 

On the way to the bus which took us to Bondi I found a BMW 2002 languishing on a driveway. It's a TILux, whatever that means. Some life goes on, though, because the white Holden had vanished when I returned later that day.

It was nice to know we haven't quite claimed all of these in the UK.

The coastal areas had plenty of tat in them. Take this 1987 Mercedes G-Class, which I have to say looks far classier than one of today.

But the best find of that trip had to be the 1993 Daihatsu Charade Blanc. Interesting that Aussie special editions didn't all come with sunroofs like they did here. I feel like having one would be more of a negative when it's always so hot out.

So I thought I might as well do a thread for the holiday I'm on and what I've done seen!
I'm currently on a cruise in Oz which started in Sydney and ends up in Hong Kong. It's my first time in this part of the world, and I'm pleased to see so much shite about.
As said, the first stop was Sydney where we had a couple of days to explore things like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. 

My first photographed find (I saw a few things on the taxi to the hotel when it was still dark) was this 1988 Corolla 4WD Wagon. It's seemingly a Tercel with a new front end.

It was close to a really nice poverty spec 1994 BMW 316i. But neither of these are really Australian are they?

Ah that's better, a Holden Commodore Ute! 90s Commodores and Falcons in all shapes and sizes are still pretty common it seems.

And here's an 80s one, taken through a vent looking into an underground car park at night (ideal conditions!). I'm digging the vinyl roof on a car made between 1981 and 1984. Surely that was a bit of a dated detail by then?
And just to prove I didn't just look at cars the whole time, here's Sydney at night. Strewth etc.

The Farmers Son
A ruddy cheeked, tousle haired young fellow me lad. Check shirt, gilet, jeans and posh wellies. Though at harvest time wears enough John Deere branded workwear to make the average F1 driver look under sponsored. Drives orange metallic top of the range  Ford Ranger. Under four years old, on a lease because the accountant says that's best.Got a Focus RS tucked away in a barn under a dust sheet. Married to a Golf Gti driving solicitor he met at a young farmers ball. When the time is right for them to start the next generation, it'll be replaced by an Evoque or Velar. Despite having been sent to a private school so he didn't catch poverty from the council house kids in the village and later to agricultural college, he talks with a strange rustic accent. Lives in a modern house built on the land under an agricultural worker planning clause. When the old man retires, he'll move into the big house. Got lots of ideas for the future. Affordable (and unaffordable) housing. Light industrial units. Farm shop and cafe with large car park/vehicle test track (sorry RoverFolkus, couldn't resist!). Glamping. Music festivals... His plans are boundless. But he's got to get them past the old man who is a bit more cautious. Just wait till he retires/croaks it. Mind, the old boy is planning to live to at least 100 and die with his wellies on!
 

You bastard, you told me you wouldn't tell everyone how I lived when you bought that mower from me!

Aberystwyth - back in August, just this ^^^^ 
Sat in my car and watched a bloke in a mahoosive, brand new MB thing (GLS?) driving around the car park until he spots a space that's big enough for his car. He then sits there with the hazards on until smol car leaves space and then his other half pops out, sees him back and *tada* they're parked.
Then four kids and two other adults get out of the thing (!), grab buckets and spades and leg it, beachwards.
Didn't have the heart to tell 'em that the beach is all shingle and there's a 3 hour max limit on the car park  

Bit of a niche coastal one, but the family tourist. 
Stead of choice* is something exceptionally large, at least a 7 seater or mahoosive estate, in which are a mere two sproglets. There is often a series of white outlines of the cars occupants on the back, and a yellow child on board sticker.
Everybody is grumpy and in some stage of a mental breakdown. The children are screaming, partly because their headrest mounted iPads have gone flat. The mum is mumbling something about packages holidays in the Algarve rather than a poxy B&B in north Wales. The dad is a funny shade of red as he cruises the streets at less than 10mph looking for a parking space that doesn’t exist - he is like a human pressure cooker, and vents uncontrollably at anyone rude enough to hoot because they actually have somewhere to be. 
Very often spotted double parked with the hazards on, near a soon to be vacated space. Once the space clears all he has to do is gently encourage something the size of an oil tanker into a space big enough for a smart car. His wife often gets out to help* guide him in. The children help by continuing to scream. When the car is close enough to the space - I.e. one wheel on the pavement, with the nose sticking out everyone can finally get out. 
Opening the boot reveals mountainous volumes of holiday gear, all loose. All the poor chap (in his polo shirt and chino shorts) has to do now is transport it to a nearby hotel. His wife can’t help, she’s too busy trying to peel the kids out the back, who have suddenly decided they do actually want to stay in the car. 
Due to a failure to read the signs, a present from a parking warden often awaits upon return, which can provoke a gentle* discussion about whose fault it might have been. 
The man wonders if he is actually dead, and this is hell.

The Chichester (local variants may exist)
Over 50 lady who wears attire similar to that of the late Queen, speaks with a similar heightened version of Received Pronunciation, and has never had to work. Normally seen in an older Mercedes E or even S class that was the husband's former company car until it was 3 years old, with steel wheels and original trims, nothing so gauche as alloys. Car fastidiously maintained by the dealer they purchased the car from new at any expense and bodywork washed weekly using the 3-bucket method followed by original Turtle Wax. Car treated to a respray every 7-8 years and a top-end rebuild has been done at least twice. Parks 2 feet away from any kerb to prevent damage to sidewalls and wheel trims. Warns off any toddlers within 50 yards to 'keep away from the car' lest it get scratched or drink spilled on it. Thinks London is a place where the poor people live because the residents talk like Dickensian street urchins.

Husband is around 10 years older than his wife wearing beige or brown cords, a blue heavy linen shirt which is only made in 1 shop in Germyn Street off Savile Row, a beige blazer and a Panama.He retired before 58, and owns his last company car which is 2-3 years newer than his wife's and identical in spec save maybe the colour, it has had the same meticulous servicing and resprays as his wife's car. He own also a Healey 100/6 which is metallic light blue over old English white, nobody else is allowed to drive it. Both wear tweed while in the Healey, string backed gloves, cravat and flat cap for him, headscarf and brown leather gloves for her.
Neither can park in a car park, indicates either left or right at a roundabout when wanting to go straight ahead, but over halfway round a roundabout is always approached from the left/outside, and looking at their surroundings  while driving is unimportant, as they are far richer than everyone surrounding them who should get out of the way. Both drink Campari and grapefruit before a meal when dining out.

I think it's the Piaggio Ape. 
Excellent mpg and free coffee. 

Airlie Beach and it's surrounding area has been best so far for finding old rubbish. We met up with a friend there so were able to go to the more off the beaten track towns.

This looks like a Dollywobbler-spec Falcon, only it isn't. It's actually the classier Fairmont. Little more than a trim level, but I like the snazzier grille.

Something a little lower end is this Ford Laser Sedan. I think it works better in booted form, compared to the hatch we saw earlier.

Getting shiter. A 2009 Proton Jumbuck. Interestingly it's the third I've seen during my stay in Australia. I guess it was cheaper than most utes on the market.

But not as popular as one of these, a 1974 Toyota Hilux that seemingly spent its days driving up and down the high street of Proserpine because I saw it loads of times.

I feel like this has been the most Autoshite spot of the holiday so far, though. It's a 1983 Daihatsu Scat (or Wildcat, or T.A.F.T if you will). I like how the bull-bar is taller than the bonnet.

Finally, something that has stumped me for a few days. What is this 60s wagon? Initially I thought it was a Falcon but they all had round tail lights (to my knowledge). Doesn't seem to be a Holden either. Any help would be appreciated! 

Airlie Beach and it's surrounding area has been best so far for finding old rubbish. We met up with a friend there so were able to go to the more off the beaten track towns.

This looks like a Dollywobbler-spec Falcon, only it isn't. It's actually the classier Fairmont. Little more than a trim level, but I like the snazzier grille.

Something a little lower end is this Ford Laser Sedan. I think it works better in booted form, compared to the hatch we saw earlier.

Getting shiter. A 2009 Proton Jumbuck. Interestingly it's the third I've seen during my stay in Australia. I guess it was cheaper than most utes on the market.

But not as popular as one of these, a 1974 Toyota Hilux that seemingly spent its days driving up and down the high street of Proserpine because I saw it loads of times.

I feel like this has been the most Autoshite spot of the holiday so far, though. It's a 1983 Daihatsu Scat (or Wildcat, or T.A.F.T if you will). I like how the bull-bar is taller than the bonnet.

Finally, something that has stumped me for a few days. What is this 60s wagon? Initially I thought it was a Falcon but they all had round tail lights (to my knowledge). Doesn't seem to be a Holden either. Any help would be appreciated! 

So I thought I might as well do a thread for the holiday I'm on and what I've done seen!
I'm currently on a cruise in Oz which started in Sydney and ends up in Hong Kong. It's my first time in this part of the world, and I'm pleased to see so much shite about.
As said, the first stop was Sydney where we had a couple of days to explore things like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. 

My first photographed find (I saw a few things on the taxi to the hotel when it was still dark) was this 1988 Corolla 4WD Wagon. It's seemingly a Tercel with a new front end.

It was close to a really nice poverty spec 1994 BMW 316i. But neither of these are really Australian are they?

Ah that's better, a Holden Commodore Ute! 90s Commodores and Falcons in all shapes and sizes are still pretty common it seems.

And here's an 80s one, taken through a vent looking into an underground car park at night (ideal conditions!). I'm digging the vinyl roof on a car made between 1981 and 1984. Surely that was a bit of a dated detail by then?
And just to prove I didn't just look at cars the whole time, here's Sydney at night. Strewth etc.

Right then, shirt tails of Sydney before getting on the cruise ship.

I'm not sure what it is but I'm still finding it strange seeing any European car here, even though they sell Skodas, Renaults, Citroens etc just like they do anywhere else. This 1970 DSpecial took me by surprise, though.

And here's a really crappy late night phone photo of another thing that excited me - a 1978 Holden Kingswood Wagon. In case you're not clued up on your Aussie cars, the Kingswood was more or less the Commodore's more executive brother. This HZ generation would have had 'radial tuned suspension', of which Modern Motor magazine wrote 'great handler spoiled by the car'.

Please excuse the 'picture pictures' here, I've been taking photos on my camera and uploading them to my laptop... only I no longer have Wifi on their, just my phone. Anyway, with that in mind here's something that's very Autoshite - a 1998 Daewoo Lanos, that was parked over the road from the cruise terminal.

It was joined with this lovely 2003 Pulsar, which is actually very common here. These ones were Japanese-made, but the liftback version (Almera to us) came all the way from the UK. 

Brisbane was a fun place, even if we did have to go through a massive industrial estate before getting to the city from the cruise terminal! 

Bull bars on cars are much more common here, and not just to make your 1993 Tarago (yes, it's not a Previa!) more rugged apparently. Drivers here have a real problem with kangaroos darting out in front of vehicles at night. I know someone that had £1,500 of damage caused by one.

Late 90s Camrys are really popular too. Wagons like this Conquest are a little harder to come by mind. 

Here's a high performance Falcon XR6. Whilst the fast Commodores used V6s, these Falcons have in-line sixes which are apparently really reliable.

As for something a little more useful, this 1997 Commodore Wagon was pretty neat. Note how some of the plates have burgundy text and others are dark green. Well, buyers here can choose the style of their plates. I've seen white text on a pink background on some!

Another one of those Pulsars, this time with the classier 'slatty' chrome grille!

And a wonderfully shite Hyundai Accent Coupe. 

Brisbane was a fun place, even if we did have to go through a massive industrial estate before getting to the city from the cruise terminal! 

Bull bars on cars are much more common here, and not just to make your 1993 Tarago (yes, it's not a Previa!) more rugged apparently. Drivers here have a real problem with kangaroos darting out in front of vehicles at night. I know someone that had £1,500 of damage caused by one.

Late 90s Camrys are really popular too. Wagons like this Conquest are a little harder to come by mind. 

Here's a high performance Falcon XR6. Whilst the fast Commodores used V6s, these Falcons have in-line sixes which are apparently really reliable.

As for something a little more useful, this 1997 Commodore Wagon was pretty neat. Note how some of the plates have burgundy text and others are dark green. Well, buyers here can choose the style of their plates. I've seen white text on a pink background on some!

Another one of those Pulsars, this time with the classier 'slatty' chrome grille!

And a wonderfully shite Hyundai Accent Coupe. 

Brisbane was a fun place, even if we did have to go through a massive industrial estate before getting to the city from the cruise terminal! 

Bull bars on cars are much more common here, and not just to make your 1993 Tarago (yes, it's not a Previa!) more rugged apparently. Drivers here have a real problem with kangaroos darting out in front of vehicles at night. I know someone that had £1,500 of damage caused by one.

Late 90s Camrys are really popular too. Wagons like this Conquest are a little harder to come by mind. 

Here's a high performance Falcon XR6. Whilst the fast Commodores used V6s, these Falcons have in-line sixes which are apparently really reliable.

As for something a little more useful, this 1997 Commodore Wagon was pretty neat. Note how some of the plates have burgundy text and others are dark green. Well, buyers here can choose the style of their plates. I've seen white text on a pink background on some!

Another one of those Pulsars, this time with the classier 'slatty' chrome grille!

And a wonderfully shite Hyundai Accent Coupe. 

Right then, shirt tails of Sydney before getting on the cruise ship.

I'm not sure what it is but I'm still finding it strange seeing any European car here, even though they sell Skodas, Renaults, Citroens etc just like they do anywhere else. This 1970 DSpecial took me by surprise, though.

And here's a really crappy late night phone photo of another thing that excited me - a 1978 Holden Kingswood Wagon. In case you're not clued up on your Aussie cars, the Kingswood was more or less the Commodore's more executive brother. This HZ generation would have had 'radial tuned suspension', of which Modern Motor magazine wrote 'great handler spoiled by the car'.

Please excuse the 'picture pictures' here, I've been taking photos on my camera and uploading them to my laptop... only I no longer have Wifi on their, just my phone. Anyway, with that in mind here's something that's very Autoshite - a 1998 Daewoo Lanos, that was parked over the road from the cruise terminal.

It was joined with this lovely 2003 Pulsar, which is actually very common here. These ones were Japanese-made, but the liftback version (Almera to us) came all the way from the UK.